The Joshua Tree - U2

OK - I was driving to my yoga class on Saturday and needed an 80's fix- luckily I had in my CD player some U2- "The Joshua Tree" was set and playing to Track 6 - "Red Hill Mining Town", and I was belting out the notes from behind the wheel.

Here's an extract from the 1987 Time Magagine article on U2 called "Rock's Hottest Ticket" which I think perfectly summarises U2:

"This is a band that believes rock music has moral imperatives and social responsibilities. There is no one better than U2 at bringing "over there" back "over here," and setting it down right by the front door, where no one can miss it."

I got to thinking that after some 23 years later, this album sounds just as good as it did back in 1987. The sound and music sounds as much 1990's and 2010 as it does 1987 - my point is the sound and music is still relevant today as it was back in 1987.

Now this album is one of my faves and if you look at my sidebar you'd see a list of  "Top Albums That Were Influential In My Life" - and at the top is - drum roll please - the album of the moment.

When I think back I remember my brother,  sister and myself having two copies of this album. Apparantly my sis and bro got this album at the same time and well- we still have our vinyl copies (yes folks - CD's were too modern for us back then and the technology was just being heard of).

This album had two #1's ("With or Without You" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For") and also spawned "Where The Streets Have No Name". Most people might say these songs are their faves, but for me, the best track is "Red Hill Mining Town", followed by "I Trip Through Your Wires"and then "In God's Country".

A few years ago I would have had a different list -  my favourite song would have been "Running To Stand Still"followed by "One Tree Hill" - but every time I take a listen to this album every song has the same freshness as it did about 25 years ago, but with a different take on it.

For me, this is the reason why I think this album is so good. In addition, U2 explored on this album everything from blues, folk , americana, plain old rock n' roll, acoustic and alternative. They explored the "Mothers of the Disappeared" to war, self-discovery, hope, politics, drugs, human nature and fraility.

This album was heard on mainstream rock, modern rock and pop stations and even today these are staples on radio. The band was also on heavy rotation on MTV as well.

It's a classic 80's album, it's a classic all-time album, and it is a masterpiece for the poetry of words, music and it's reflection of time. Is it any wonder that this band made it to the cover of TIME magazine, who hailed the band as "Rock's Hottest Ticket".

Here's some other links to U2 that you might enjoy:

The Most Influential Artists of the 80's
Best Rock Artists

Anyway peeps - hope you enjoyed. TTYL!!

Damn Jam

I always look forward to time off from work, especially if it's a great vacation getaway - of which I plan quite a few.

Case in point - this weekend I was supposed to go to Strawberry Hill for one of my good friend's wedding and the planning has been months in the making - there was family from everywhere coming to this gorgeous, amazing place for the wedding.

Sherise and Derrick had paid for all of the tours for us during this weekend - this weekend that would see me in Strawberry Hills - where the clouds come into the jacuzzi - yes - imagine being in a jacuzzi with low cloud cover surrounding you whilst you just lay back and dream of hot sexy men in nothing but a loin cloth serving you and attending to your every need (OK - taking it a bit too far).

But - my vacation dream had to be cancelled today as the situation in Jamaica is crazy and most of the guests have cancelled. Ah well - I will be back at work :(

Anyways peeps - TTYL - hoping some of you sexy peeps can meet me sometime in Strawberry Hills for a martini in the jacuzzi!

Realizing Gayness

When did I first say....."I was gay"?

It's strange.....but when I was around 10 or so, I pictured myself with a family, kids and making love to a hot blonde....and actually enjoying it so much that it would get me erect and close to climax! Now that I think back, I'm thinking....."What does this mean?"

I know I was not straight....but why these thoughts....is this normal? As I think about it, I'm guessing I was trying to surpress my "gayism"...after all I had no idea what being "gay" was. I never saw homo-eroticism on TV, read about it in a magazine and had no idea about gay porn....geez - cable TV was not out yet, and I never read magazines back then.

I also had gone to an all boys school - and it's wierd, but I never had a crush on anyone there or fantasized about being with another guy or one of my teachers. A few of my teachers were clearly gay, but I never thought twice about that....what is wrong with me.

I guess the answer came, about 5 years ago after Hurricane Ivan when I had my first sexual encounter with a guy stayingwith me...and really falling for him....so.... that's not so long ago!

Peeps - thanks for reading! TTYL!

A Day In the Life Of....

Here's some pics of what I did over this weekend....it's my usual and typical Saturday/Sundays....quite tamed and well....boring.....but I like it like that....

After yoga and running a few errands I went to this coffee house called "Full of Beans" which also is a mini art studio....the art on exhibition this week, was a cool 3-D style art with the images being made of wood and mounted on the canvas - kinda cool! If you look at the images you can see them "coming at you" and the images also extend outside of the frame and corners of the canvas.

This is pic of me having a glass of wine and some curried lentils and white bean soup...you can also see some of the art around me!

Later on I spent the evening with my partner and we had ordered some Thai Food....this is a pic of the bar! It looks a bit better than the pic!

On Sunday....I was just spending some time and taking some artsy fartsy pics in this tower which overlooks the city and bay....I like this one - the mosaic on the wall is an underwater theme....it's so detailed and it's beautiful....and speaking of mosaics.....here's one of a fish!

and a Stingray.....

At night, me and Steven went out for a great seafood curry at the bay.

We then had dessert at this other nearby restaurant - it's the best...I had chocolate bread pudding and Steven had sticky toffee pudding - the absolute bestest!

Anyways peeps - thanks for sharing!

TTYL!

Dirty Thoughts in Down Dog

For most of last week I was  at a yoga workshop session with Dave Farmer. Dave is originally from the West Coast and now lives in Colorado.......and boy is he HAWT!

Being in down dog position means your head is dangling down and you gaze between your legs so all I can hear is his manly deep voice which reminds me of my favourite porn star.....Parker Williams.

I am a huge fan of Parker - I mean just like at this 100% pure beefy super sexy, super handsome daddy.

I also blogged on Parker in a post I did - see here!

Dave Farmer and his fiancee - we had a Vinyasa and Vino class - after yoga we all met for wine and appies at Abacus.

Dave actually reminds me of Parker as well......tall - I'm guessing 6' 3"....deep masculine voice, lean, sexy and just gorgeous to look at! So being in down dog and hearing that sultry voice running through my head got me wishing that Parker Williams would be next to me.....ummmm.......my mind was wondering all over the place thinking about Parker which threw me off my yoga session since I am supposed to be focussed and grounded......

Ah well - boys will be boys!

Some of my fellow yoggies @ Vinyasa y Vino! Love ya!

Anyways peeps - TTYL!

Vic's B-Day and Mother's Day

My good friend Vic's birthday was today which coincided with Mother's Day. Vic is Scottish and his mom and two brothers also visited for his birthday bash. Get this - his brother is nominated for a Noble Prize for Medicine - wow - amazing!

It all started last night (Saturday 8th May) with a awesome dinner at a posh restaurant called Abacus. He must have spent loads renting the place and the 4 course meal was absolutely superb.

This is a cool picture that was the theme for the party - it's the Brat Pack but with Vic in there.

Here's some pics from the party.

Me and Tammy - I hate this pic of me. Ughhhhh! 

Vic - so happy for his b-day. That chick is quite hot too!

We did brunch for Mother's Day - this is my view outside our table - isn't it awesome!

Me - I hate this pic but it was the best of the lot - I got burned a few days ago - can you tell! Also - no shaving for the last few days!

Anyways peeps - thanks for sharing in my life!

Why Deny Being A Homo!

So I was reading a few blogs on George Rekkers and his male rentboy and it was the first time I've heard of this Rekkers character. But having read about him I got the impression that he is "in the closet" and maybe he's trying to fight his manly urges by lashing out at gays....maybe he feels that by so doing, he can "cure himself" or his "urges" might go away.

But I also got to thinking that I know someone like that...actually a good friend of mine.

The history behind us is that he was the 1st guy I was ever with and he always said ...."Steve....I'm not gay"...but he always took the chance to get intimate. I never said to him "I'm gay"....but I guess I am guilty by action.

In any case, whenever we're out with friends there's always a comment about a gay....or he tries to be extra "butch".....but recently my partner said he was on a UK website and came across a picture of my friend...I just thought - "Why fight to keep this image up?"

OK - there are many reasons - denial; hoping to "be straight"; professionalism; family etc etc. But please .... don't judge my fellow gays or make yourself something else...for one I felt betrayed and hurt...but hey....life is full of surprises.

Anyways peeps - TTYL!

Dude - Are you Gay?

So I am thinking - why can't people say what they really mean - I mean I hate trying to read between the lines or even try to figure out what someone is trying to say. Case in point......

I was at beach just sitting in a lounge chair, watching some hotties go by - some with hot bods, some with some nice hairy chests, some with families; some with speedos (must be Europeans)....and reading a book of poems on Rumi.

One of these guys I know (I won't call him a friend really, but over the last couple of years we have mutual friends and we see each other around, I know him enough to talk about life and also have an extended conversation - you know the type)....anyways - he approaches me and asks me, what am I reading - well I reply:

"A book of poems - kinda boring". I further say ..."So I saw you at Abacus on Friday with this really hot blonde chick - is that your new squeeze?"

He answers - "Nah - we go way back, we're just friends. But you and me, we're alike in so many ways - we like the same things....we are so alike...I don't care what the "gays" of the island have to say".

So at that point I'm thinking - yeah - "Well what is Mike trying to tell me? Is he also gay? He had a hot chick for a girlfriend for so long - and he's always out with these hot babes".

It wasn't until after he left that I got to thinking - "Could he be gay?"; "Does he know I swing the other way?", "Is he trying to tell me he knows I'm gay?"

I wish I had more guts to be myself here - I wish I can just say - Fuck Mike - are you telling me what I think you're telling me?" - No  - I should just say - "Dude - are you gay?".

Anyways peeps TTYL!

Sexy Yoga Daddy

I was all in all quite lazy today to go to yoga....but boy was I glad I did. In my Friday's class, I saw this super hot sexy daddy at the back of the class - so every chance I got to look over at him whilst I was in down dog I did....I mean this guy was hot and literally hot - handsome, sexy, great legs and he simply looked scrumptious all in his yoga moves (he looks a bit like Mel Gibson)
.

This was the closest pic I could find that showed what we had to do - it's not exactly it, but close enough! 

Anywho....despite my reluctance to go today, I was sure glad I did - as I walked into class I saw that he was there at the back of the room, and it was next to my usual spot....so I planted my mat next to him and striked up a conversation....

Then it got only better - our teacher announced that we had to pair up as partners for some partner exercises - so by default - we were supposed to inspire each other (and boy was I inspired by this pure hunk of sexiness).....we had to help each other do hand stands and frog leaps - I just felt happy looking at Mr. Sexy and helping him.

He's a hottie, and we had a long conversation after class - he's 45 or so.....half French, and likes to lobster hunt....and his name is Jean-Marc - so hot.

Anyway peeps - TTYL